--The Trump Administration's new oil and gas leasing rules are a set-back for climbers. The Access Fund has produced an article about what they and their industry partners are doing to fight the loss of public lands. To read more, click here.

--The annual Red Rock Rendezvous is slated to take place in Las Vegas from March 16-19, 2018. This is one of the biggest climbing festivals in the country...and one of the most fun. The American Alpine Institute works with Mountain Gear to put on the festival every year and many AAI guides will be on hand for both instruction, as well as for hanging out at the evening parties. You might also consider booking a guide before or after the program, or even participating in an additional climbing class. To read more, click here.Notes from All Over:
--A skier was killed in an avalanche in the Jackson Hole backcountry over the weekend. To read more, click here.
--A big new climb has been put up in Canada's Ghost River Valley. Ophidiophobia is a 4-pitch M7 WI 4+, and the line is beautiful. To read more, click here.

--The outdoor recreation economy is 2% of the GDP. That is huge. Check it out.

--The Fairbanks Daily-News Miner is reporting that, Denali National Park plans to toughen poop hauling requirements for climbers on the popular West Buttress route up North America’s tallest peak. The rules are based on research that indicates the Kahiltna Glacier is working more like a slow-moving poop conveyer belt and less like a natural toilet than previously believed." To read more, click here.

--Outside magazine is reporting that, recently, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke employed a bait-and-switch defense of President Trump’s bait-and-switch budget proposal for the Department of the Interior. The bait? An $18 billion fund for fixing the National Park Service’s massive maintenance backlog. The switch? It’d be paid for by deregulating oil and gas extraction on public lands, firing NPS employees, and empowering Zinke to sell off any public lands he wishes. Make no mistake, this would be a disaster for America’s national parks, and it probably won’t even fix the damn potholes." To read more, click here.

--Rock and Ice is reporting that, "Grit and Rock—a UK-based organization that promotes female-led climbing expeditions aimed at bagging first ascents—has announced its second-ever slate of recipients of the First Ascent Expedition Award. The award aims 'to encourage female participation in pioneering alpine ascents and to further the understanding and exploration of the unclimbed peaks.'" To read more, click here.

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Climbing, skiing and mountaineering are dangerous sports. When you undertake an outdoor, backcountry, or an alpine adventure without a guide, you assume total responsibility for your decisions and wellbeing. Conditions in the mountains are constantly changing, and no guidebook or computer web blog can take the place of solid training and experience. Though this site features descriptions of roads, trails, climbing routes, and other natural features, you cannot assume that because something is described here that it has not changed since last observed or that it will be safe for you or your party.
AAI assumes no responsibility or liability for your use of the information presented in this blog. With regard to all backcountry travel and climbing, you must make your own assessments and decisions, and you assume all risks in applying them.